Thermostatically-operated circuit-breaker.



T. R. FAGAN. THBBMOSTATIGALLY OPERATED mom? BREAKER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 19, 1913.

Patented June 2, 1914.

Elvwemtoz xikueoou F A n W w. w M M y W tam ,tion; and Fi keno-Mas n. FAGAN, or" nun'rrneron, wns'r VIRGINIA.

THERMOSTATICALLY-OPERATED CIRCUIT-BREAKER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 19, 1913. Serial No. 780,062.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, THOMAS It. FAGAN, a citizen of the United States, Huntington, in the county of Cabell and State of West Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Thermostatically-Operated Circuit-Breakers, of

which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to automatic circuit breakers and closers, and it more particularly relates to an improved thermostatically operated circuit breaker.

An object of the invention is to provide a circuit breaker of this character which is especially applicable in connection with dental furnaces and vulcanizing devices, but which is also applicable in connection with electric heating devices of any kind wherein it is desirable to break the circuit when a predetermined degree of heat has been generated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of, this character which is of simple construction, compact, comparatively inexpensive, and thoroughly practical and effective.

In the accompanying drawings, which supplement this specification, Fi re 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic view illustrating the mechanism which constitutes my inven- 2 is a vertical sectional view illustrating t e contact member and its adjuncts.

In these drawings, in which similar reference characters correspond with similar parts throughout the several views, the device which constitutes the principal feature of my invention consists of a slotted base plate 10 having apertured bearing elements or lugs 11 extending upward therefrom at opposite sides of the medial portion of.the slot 12; a bifurcated cont-act member 13 being pivotally-connected at 1 1 to said bearing elements and being provided with a rod 15 over which extends a hook formed on a retractile spring 16, said spring having its other end secured to a slide member 17 which extends through the slot 12 and is slidable longitudinally of the slot and of the base plate 10. The member 13 is provided with a contact element 18 ofplatinum or other suitable material, which is adapted to be electrically connected with a contact element 19 from which a conductor wire 20 is adaptresiding at the construction,

ed to connect with a heating coil which is conventionally illustrated at 21.

Ad aCent to the heating coil or to any object heated thereby may be placed a thermostatic element 22, which may be of ordinary construction, and' which in the present instance is shown as an arcuate member wh1ch may either tend to straighten itself or to lncrease its curvature, in consequence of the action of the heat. In the present instance, the member 22 tends to increase its curvature, and in doing so, it swings the lever arm 23, which is pivotally connected at" 2%, and causes the lever to move upon the pivot 25 in such manner that its long arm 26 moves the link 27 longitudinally, said link being pivotally connected to the arm 26 at 28, and having one end pivotally connected at 29 to the slide member 17 Now, it will be seen that during the movement of said lever and link, and in consequence thereof, the slide member 17 moves longitudinally of the slot 12 and carries the contiguous end of the spring 16 therewith. The arm or contact member 13 remains in its circuit closing position until the slide member has passed beyond the plvot point 1 1, and the contiguous end of said spring passes between the furcations of the member 13, whereupon, the latter is swung into its open position by said spring, and is arrested and supported in this position by means of an adjustable stop member 30 which may be movably mounted in any proper way, but which in the present instance consists of a slotted bar having a screw extending therethrough, said screw being adapted to be tightened after the stop has been properly adjusted.

It will be seen that this device is fully capable of attaining the foregoing objects in a thoroughly practical and effective manner.

While the accompanying drawings illustrate what I believe to be the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but that various changes may be made in arrangement and proportions of the parts without departing from the the scope of the invention, as defined in appended claims.

I claim: 1. A circuit breaker comprising a slotted plate, a slide member movable longitudinally of the slot, a bifurcated contact member pivoted adjacent to the medial portion of the Patented June 2, 1914. i

slot with its furcations on the opposite sides of said slot, a retractile spring having one end connected to the contact member be- 7 tween the furcations thereof and having its other end connected to said slide member, a -icontact element normally in closed circuit f@with the contact member, and means for :moving the slide element and the contiguousend of the spring between the furcations of said contact member for changing the direction of pull of the spring and thereby moving the contact member out of circuit with said contact element.

2. An electric circuit breaker comprising a base member provided with a longitudinal guide, a bifurcated contact member having its furcations pivotally connected at'fopposite sides 'of the guide, a contact element normally in closed circuit with the contact member, a retract'ile spring having'one end secured to, the contact member between. its

furcations, means for movably connecting the other end of said spring with the guide, and means for moving the first said means longitudinally of the guide between the pivotal connections of said contact member.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses. THOMAS R. FAGAN. Witnesses:

S, D. HARMON, J. L. FINNICUMY. 

